Tsigrado beach is many things: beautiful, secluded, dangerous, unique, and difficult to pronounce, just to name a few.
Milos island has 75+ beaches (here are the best ones!), and Tsigrado still manages to distinguish itself among them.
Nestled between cliffs on the southern coast of the island, Tsigrado is best known for the difficulty it takes to get to it. The process of climbing down is not for the faint of heart.
The exact steps of what to expect are listed below. Though it's not for everyone, it's worth the effort if you want to hang out on a secluded corner of Milos.
Here's your complete guide to Tsigrado beach.
About Tsigrado
Tsigrado is one of the best beaches in Milos, well known for being remote, difficult to reach, and having great caves you can explore.
While it's one of the most popular beaches in Milos, it has a few things going for it that keeps it from getting as busy as other beaches (say, Sarakiniko:
- it's (really) hard to climb down to
- you can see it from the top, which is enough for most people to take pictures and move on
- it's visible during sailing tours around the islands, which is also enough for most people
- it's on the southern side of the island, which is off-the-beaten-path
- the local bus only makes a couple of trips from Adamas throughout the day
- there are bigger and more accessible beaches close by
Tsigrado is an excellent option on windy days, especially if the winds make it difficult to hit northern gems like Sarakiniko and Papafragas.
Tsirado beach, nestled between cliffs. Captured on DJI Spark drone.
The closest restaurant to Tsigrado is on Fyriplaka beach, which is a 15-20 minute walk away. This includes the time it takes to climb up to the parking lot, and the time it takes to walk back down on the other side of the hill, to Fyriplaka.
I recommend spending the morning at Tsigrado (bring some snacks & water), and heading to Fyriplaka for lunch.
Fyriplaka beach, a 15-minute walk from Tsigrado beach.
Tsigrado Beach Access
I expected the way down to Tsigrado to be a fun adventure and I was very excited to get to Tsigrado. However, it was harder than I anticipated. I documented the steps – here's what you can expect.
The Way Down
1 – Find the Roped Stairwell
The entrance to the beach is hard to spot. Look for a red metal rod coming out of the ground with a rope around it. Let the adventure begin!
2 – Climb Down
There's the first staircase. The first passage is quite narrow, there may be some people-traffic before you can go down. Don't forget to take in the view.
3 – Follow the Passage
There's a narrow passage to walk through. It'll open up to the first glimpse of what's waiting for you on the other side. A little motivation never hurt!
4 – Climb Down Again
There's another step and it's more challenging than it looks. A rope nearby helps. The ground is very uneven, and the passageway is slanted and even more narrow.
5 – Follow the Second Passage
This passageway isn't as narrow as the first one, and there's a small cove if you need a break or to let others pass. Get ready for the final descend.
6 – Use the Last Ladder
The last ladder looks simple but it's a bit make-shift. It's stable but a little crooked. A lot of people throw their shoes and bags at this point and give it their full attention.
The Way Back
The way back up is a bit simpler. It's best if you have a backpack to carry all your stuff so your hands are free.
Related: Top 20+ Beaches in Milos, Greece, To See in 2019
The Best of Tsigrado
Aside from the secluded-factor, one of the reasons Tsigrado is so popular has to do with the cliffs around it. There are so many caves to explore just a quick swim away. If you love adventure, you'll love this beach!
This is the beach to bring your snorkeling equipment to if you have any (or at least the mask and tube). The water is so clear and there are so many formations, above water and below, you'll be able to explore for hours.
The Aegean Sea is fairly salty which takes some of the efforts away from having to float. It makes it easier to swim for extended periods of time. The water is simply a dream!
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When To Go
Tsigrado faces south, so you have the best light during the day. Of course, the earlier you go, the better. However, you don't have to get there for sunrise to get a spot, like with other popular beaches.
Early afternoon at Tsigrado beach.
Since the beach is protected by cliffs, once the sun goes down, shade starts to take over the beach rather quickly.
Pro tip: Use The Weather Network app to check the sunset time for the period you are there. You'll start to lose sunshine on Tsigrado a few hours before that. However
Aim to get there before 11:30 am between July and September when the first local bus from Adamas arrives. You'll get a chance at having the beach all to yourself. Here's the timetable.
Morning light at Tsigrado beach.
The beach is visible from above, so expect spectators during busy months. There are a couple of hidden corners if you prefer privacy.
How To Get To Tsigrado Beach
Tsigrado is on the south coast, 11.7 km (7.3 miles) from Adamas, 14.8 km (9.2 miles) from Plaka, and 18.2 km (11.3 miles) from Pollonia.
It's close to other popular beaches like Fyriplaka, Provatas, and Agios Sostis.
It's best to get to Tsigrado by car or ATV. I rented my Smart car from Tourlakis in Adamas. Surprisingly, it was powerful enough for all the dirt roads and small enough to sneak through all the tiny streets and parking spots.
Beaches on the southern coastline of Milos. Tsigrado is seen on the bottom right corner, while the red rocks at Fyriplaka beach are visible on the top right corner. Captured by DJI Spark drone.
Local Bus
The local Milos bus stops at Tsigrado and Fyriplaka 3-4 times a day between July 1 and September 24. Each trip costs €2. The schedule is more sporadic otherwise.
The first bus is around 11:30 am, and the last bus leaves the beach at 6:40 pm during that period. This will likely be the busiest time at the beach during that time.
Taxi Tsigrado Beach
You can also call a taxi if you're using a local SIM card (there's a Verifone in Triovassalos) or if you have your own WiFi.
Although, I don't recommend relying on taxis on this side of the island unless you have to. The main taxi station is in Adamas 11.7 km (7.3 miles) and you'll get charged an extra fee for pick-up. Check out the Milos taxi website for contact information.
For information on how to get to Milos, check out my practical information guide.
Related: Milos: 9 Unique Facts You Should Know
How Long Do You Need?
Tsigrado is a must-see during your time in Milos, even if you only see it from above or from a sailboat.
You can see it in 10-15 minutes on the way to Fyriplaka or Provatas. It's a very photogenic beach, from every angle.
For beach-time, a few hours should suffice. It's great for swimming and snorkeling, so you can easily lose track of time here. At least until you get hungry or shade starts taking over.
Hotels Close to Tsigrado Beach
Most of the accommodation options in Milos are on the northern side of the island. However, there are some hotels on the south side if you prefer to stay off-the-beaten-path.
I stayed at Hotel Agnanti in Katifora on the northern side of the island, a 20-minute drive from the beach. Here's my review.
Check out all the accommodation options in Milos.
What To Bring
The beach is in a fairly remote location and you should bring everything you need for your visit with you.
To make the most of your time on this secluded beach, I recommend bringing the following:
- Day pack – ideally, one that you can carry as a backpack so you have your hands free while you're climbing to and from the beach
- Waterproof camera – Tsigrado is full of caves and interesting rock formations. If you have an action camera, you'll definitely want it here
- Water bottle(s) – bring enough to last you for your intended stay. You won't be able to get drinking water here
- Snack(s) – there are no grocery stores around and the closest restaurant is at Fyriplaka beach. It's best to bring some snacks to hold you over. I take protein bars from WOLO Snacks with me on all my trips for situations like this
- Sunscreen – aside from a couple of caves that can provide shade, the beach has no protection from the sun until late in the afternoon
- Travel towel – for swimming
- Sneakers – getting down to Tsigrado is challenging. You can't do it in flip flops, the passageway is too slippery and uneven. Most flip flop people just end up going barefoot because it's easier
- Water shoes (optional) – they can come in handy if you want to explore the caves and rock formations, they're sharp and uncomfortable
- Snorkel equipment (optional)– if you have it, this is the beach to bring it to!
My Amazon Picks for Tsigrado Beach
Recommended Milos Tours
If you have the time, Tsigrado is worth the effort. However, if you're pressed for time, I recommend a sailing tour around the island. You'll be able to see Tsigrado from the sea, which is still pretty cool. You can read my review here. Here are the best Milos tours.
Tsigrado on the Map
To help you plan your stay, I marked the beaches in blue, villages in pink, and attractions in green.
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